Catholicism has for the last 25 years compared to other religions,
the greatest amount of trust among citizens in the surveys that are
made by different groups in Korean society. In an article in Now/Here
(Catholic-news) the writer reviews the contents of the surveys for
readers and gives us his opinion.
He mentions some red lights that are seen and
one of them would be in comparison to other religions Catholicism does
have more trust but not in comparison to other organizations in society.
Citizen organizations have 27.8 percent public confidence, second is
the press with 10.6 percent, and religion is 3rd, with
9.2 percent, and the writer says this is continuing to fall.
Women
had a higher rate of confidence in Catholicism than men. Those in their
50s had the highest index of confidence when comparing ages, and 32.7
percent of unbelievers had the highest rate of confidence, and the more
education the higher the level of confidence in Catholicism.
The
writer mentions the confidence level will not change in the near future
but he gives five reasons why this confidence in Catholicism in
comparison to the other religions in society could change overnight.
First,
he doesn't believe the confidence is directed to
Catholicism but rather a lack of confidence in the other religions. Once
the other religions make some positive changes and portray a different image the relative ascendency of Catholicism will change.
Secondly,
the Church can continue to weaken its strong points. Unity has been one
of the images of the Church. Protestantism is seen with their many
divisions, and Buddhism with their religious factions fighting with
each other, something the Koreans did not see in Catholicism. On the
other hand with the democratic movement in society, and the Church's
authoritarianism, we see a negative
response by some.
Unity as a strong point is no longer what it
was. When we have dissent being expressed within the institution,
the unity becomes weakened.Within the conference of bishops we have
agreement and some bishops speaking,and behaving
differently from what was decided. We have groups like the Patriotic
Catholics for Korea which don't care for some of the directions the
Church is taking. We have the Justice and Peace Priests not always
understood, and some devotional groups that speak differently on
traditional teaching. All these will be seen as disunity and lower
the confidence of the public in the Church.
Sex scandals
that became known in the States was a great problem. We have some
Catholics who with some Protestants have an unfriendly attitude to
other religions. Sex scandals and financial corruption in works of
welfare given to the Church by the government, and bankruptcy will all
lower the trust in the Church.
Thirdly we have the
possibility of seeing the Church as overly strong and pushing its might
on society. Fourthly, not continuing their work of service for society
as in the past. Our religious are getting older and retiring from their
work and they are not being replaced which will make a difference in the
way society looks upon the Church. Fifthly, we have the way society
looks upon the Vatican: at present it is very positive but like Europe it
could change.
As was mentioned in the beginning the
confidence that religion has in society is 10 percent points lower than citizens' groups. The Gallup poll that was
made in 2014 mentioned that religions over the last 30 years continue to
get criticized and the writer reminds the Church to be humble and
keep a low profile.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Reading the Story of Cain and Abel Differently
Why did Cain kill his brother Abel? A priest from the Seoul Diocese asks the question and surprises us with an answer which you rarely hear, and it makes a lot of sense. The first Israelites were sheep herders, and the story is a teaching story for their descendents, and it all fits together. He explains his interpretation in an article in the Kyeongyang magazine.
We usually say it was jealousy on the part of Cain but if we leave it at that we make God the one who aroused the jealousy. Did God prefer meat over the crops, fruits and vegetables of the land? The writers want us to understand that Cain was a sedentary farmer with a lot of land and rich, while Abel was a wandering shepherd with his little flock going from one pasture to another. He was not what we would call a large stock farmer. He had to work in the rain, and cold; he was a poor shepherd. God appreciated the life of Abel and accepted his sacrifice.
We today in the Church take the example of God in choosing to be on the side of the poor.This choice is not always easy. Pope Benedict after he retired was considered a very conservative pope, but in his Encyclical Charity in Truth he was called a German Communist in certain areas of the World. Here in Korea we have the same response when anyone speaks for the poor, listens to their complaints, and becomes active in their cause-- they are labeled 'followers of the North'.
What kind of world are we living in? We still have many who are without property and are living a difficult life. We meet many of them in Korea. Marxism was a movement that wanted to liberate them and at one time had over half of the world in their control. The curtain came down on their efforts, workers were hoping that a change would come in their situation, but it has deteriorated. Today the gap between the rich and poor has grown larger. We have another Cain and Abel story.
The priest looks at the situation in Korea. As a member of OECD ( Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) it has the largest number of suicides and the lowest birthrate, a sign that life is not very attractive to many Koreans. Land is no longer easily bought. The number of industrial disasters is the highest, hours of work are the second longest in OECD. Of all the countries money spent on welfare is the lowest, and family debts are high.
The middle class is ceasing to exist and the rich are getting richer. Young people are finding it difficult to find work, and the many irregular workers always in danger of being fired. The condition of the old people in society is the worse in the OECD, and we are absorbed in improving the situation for the wealthy, and this is the reality in most of the world.
He concludes the article with a hope that instead of greed, disobedience, and jealousy we will accept modesty, humility and be influenced by the teachings of Jesus. The dignity of all human beings, hopefully will be recognized. We should not only help the strong we need to work for a society in which we are all brothers and sisters. We all need to work for a society in which we all are holding hands working together.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Working for the Common Good
Pope John XXIII defined the common good as "the sum total of social
conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to
reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily" (Pacem in Terris #
55). Common good is a term that appears often in the social teaching of
the Church and a basic concept.
A priest with a doctorate in social studies and now working in the labor apostolate sees the lack of sensitivity for the common good as one of the primary reasons for the MERS epidemic, contagion and death that resulted from the epidemic. He writes about the spread of MERS in his column, and gives a great deal of the blame to seeking efficiency over the common good.
Information on the spread of the disease, and the name of the hospitals involved was not made known at the start, and keeping this secret did much to help the spread of the disease: more concern for private issues than for the common good.
The desire of the Church is to work in the area of the common good. He finds the government retreating in the areas of public health and promoting private health endeavors. This he also sees as a reason for some of the problems experienced during the MERS epidemic.
His thoughts come from reflection on creation. God gave the goods of creation to all of us. We should all benefit: not especially difficult to understand. There are times when a decision made will result in a loss either materially or in humiliation, but the public good benefits. The columnist gives blame for the quick development of capitalism in society where efficiency is everything. Medical care, education, labor, and lodging all become commodities in the market, and those who are sacrificed for efficiency we do not see.
In conclusion, he wants us to learn a lesson from the MERS epidemic. More than to maximize efficiency in our society we need to increase our concern in working for the common good, which will promote a more peaceful life for all. Also help us to live according to the order of creation and the road we Christians are called to follow.
A priest with a doctorate in social studies and now working in the labor apostolate sees the lack of sensitivity for the common good as one of the primary reasons for the MERS epidemic, contagion and death that resulted from the epidemic. He writes about the spread of MERS in his column, and gives a great deal of the blame to seeking efficiency over the common good.
Information on the spread of the disease, and the name of the hospitals involved was not made known at the start, and keeping this secret did much to help the spread of the disease: more concern for private issues than for the common good.
The desire of the Church is to work in the area of the common good. He finds the government retreating in the areas of public health and promoting private health endeavors. This he also sees as a reason for some of the problems experienced during the MERS epidemic.
His thoughts come from reflection on creation. God gave the goods of creation to all of us. We should all benefit: not especially difficult to understand. There are times when a decision made will result in a loss either materially or in humiliation, but the public good benefits. The columnist gives blame for the quick development of capitalism in society where efficiency is everything. Medical care, education, labor, and lodging all become commodities in the market, and those who are sacrificed for efficiency we do not see.
In conclusion, he wants us to learn a lesson from the MERS epidemic. More than to maximize efficiency in our society we need to increase our concern in working for the common good, which will promote a more peaceful life for all. Also help us to live according to the order of creation and the road we Christians are called to follow.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Questionnaire on Godparents
Godparents for the baptized is a tradition seen in many
Christian groups. Tertullian, in the 200s AD mentions the use of godparents in his book on Baptism. In
the early Church the baptized were mostly adults, and had a godparent of the
same sex. They assumed the responsibility as mentors for the newly
baptized.
The Peace Weekly has a 'cover story' on godparents and their godchildren. Godparents are to guide their godchildren in the life of faith but this is not what happens. Often it is only a name that goes in the baptismal book, and merely a formality that one follows, without meaning. Godparents are to pray, and lead their godchildren in imitating Jesus but few take the responsibility with any seriousness.
The Weekly prepared a questionnaire that was given to 446 parishioners to determine the situation in the present Church. According to the questionnaire over 50 percent have no contact with their godchild. 38 percent of the godchildren have no contact with their godparents. 15 percent do not know who their godparents are.
55 percent say the distancing from the godparents came from the lack of contact. 25 percent said that they didn't know the godparent when they were baptized so quickly lost contact. To prevent this from happening a priest is quoted with five steps to be a good godparent. Praying for the godchild, talk and listen to them, study to answer their questions, introduce them to the liturgy of the Church, and keep in contact with the godchild.
How is the situation going to improve? One suggestion in the article from a Sunday school teacher recommends to match the godparents with the ones to be baptized into three groups: infants and children, young people, and adults-- for infants close relatives, for young people Sunday school teachers and devoted young people, and for adults, members of the different societies in parish communities.
Serious efforts to change the way godparents are chosen and programs to educate those who are in such a spiritual relation will do much to change the atmosphere of a parish and make for a community of faith.
The Peace Weekly has a 'cover story' on godparents and their godchildren. Godparents are to guide their godchildren in the life of faith but this is not what happens. Often it is only a name that goes in the baptismal book, and merely a formality that one follows, without meaning. Godparents are to pray, and lead their godchildren in imitating Jesus but few take the responsibility with any seriousness.
The Weekly prepared a questionnaire that was given to 446 parishioners to determine the situation in the present Church. According to the questionnaire over 50 percent have no contact with their godchild. 38 percent of the godchildren have no contact with their godparents. 15 percent do not know who their godparents are.
55 percent say the distancing from the godparents came from the lack of contact. 25 percent said that they didn't know the godparent when they were baptized so quickly lost contact. To prevent this from happening a priest is quoted with five steps to be a good godparent. Praying for the godchild, talk and listen to them, study to answer their questions, introduce them to the liturgy of the Church, and keep in contact with the godchild.
How is the situation going to improve? One suggestion in the article from a Sunday school teacher recommends to match the godparents with the ones to be baptized into three groups: infants and children, young people, and adults-- for infants close relatives, for young people Sunday school teachers and devoted young people, and for adults, members of the different societies in parish communities.
Serious efforts to change the way godparents are chosen and programs to educate those who are in such a spiritual relation will do much to change the atmosphere of a parish and make for a community of faith.
Monday, July 13, 2015
McCarthyism Syndrome
In the question and answer section of the Peace Weekly a priest asks: In private conversations he is often asked why does the
Catholic Church disregard the countries' security problems, and
continue to criticize the government. When he hears words which incites
people he is upset but when he gets these questions he is at a loss for
words, and feels silence is the best answer but remains irritated.
The columnist understands his perplexity. He doesn't agree that the Church has no interest in security. Korea is surrounded by strong countries, and North Korea has has shown hostility to the South. No one wants to abandon our security. However, the Church's understanding of security is much more extensive than the ordinary citizen, and looks towards the future. Many see security only as related with Communism.
He gives the example of the training of children in Japan.They are taught to be considerate of others. In order to get them accustomed to the cold, children wear short pants in the winter. They receive leadership courses, patience is considered a great virtue, and are taught frugality. There is a difference in the way we can look upon this formation: on the short term we can see the sincerity of the Japanese, in the long view we can see them wanting to form a strong populace, and in case of war be able to withstand the difficulties of daily life.
The columnist compares the Japanese children with Korean children. If the children does well in studies parents have a tendency to ignore their behavior. This later shows up in society. We have even in small things uncontrollable emotional outbursts, and those with little knowledge want to solve difficulties with emotions.
The Church is an alternative community which tries to deal with these problems. To have care for the other, respect the other, to educate the whole person to live with others. It is education for life.
One of the maladies of our society is the McCarthyism syndrome: (a witch hunt, unscrupulously accusing people of disloyalty by saying they were Communists). When we hear criticism of the government, persons speaking honestly and see a need to change certain behavior, we have those who consider it a subversive act. We still are dealing with this kind of thinking in Korea. It is an emotional problem.Those that point out the problems in government may truly love the country and are doing more for the security of the country than those who do not criticize.
We need to understand each other and respect each other's opinions.When we don't allow the others who think differently to speak and call them communists we are dividing the country, and we can see this happening in many countries of the world. As Christians we should see this kind of attitude as working against building the kind of world that God wants.
The columnist understands his perplexity. He doesn't agree that the Church has no interest in security. Korea is surrounded by strong countries, and North Korea has has shown hostility to the South. No one wants to abandon our security. However, the Church's understanding of security is much more extensive than the ordinary citizen, and looks towards the future. Many see security only as related with Communism.
He gives the example of the training of children in Japan.They are taught to be considerate of others. In order to get them accustomed to the cold, children wear short pants in the winter. They receive leadership courses, patience is considered a great virtue, and are taught frugality. There is a difference in the way we can look upon this formation: on the short term we can see the sincerity of the Japanese, in the long view we can see them wanting to form a strong populace, and in case of war be able to withstand the difficulties of daily life.
The columnist compares the Japanese children with Korean children. If the children does well in studies parents have a tendency to ignore their behavior. This later shows up in society. We have even in small things uncontrollable emotional outbursts, and those with little knowledge want to solve difficulties with emotions.
The Church is an alternative community which tries to deal with these problems. To have care for the other, respect the other, to educate the whole person to live with others. It is education for life.
One of the maladies of our society is the McCarthyism syndrome: (a witch hunt, unscrupulously accusing people of disloyalty by saying they were Communists). When we hear criticism of the government, persons speaking honestly and see a need to change certain behavior, we have those who consider it a subversive act. We still are dealing with this kind of thinking in Korea. It is an emotional problem.Those that point out the problems in government may truly love the country and are doing more for the security of the country than those who do not criticize.
We need to understand each other and respect each other's opinions.When we don't allow the others who think differently to speak and call them communists we are dividing the country, and we can see this happening in many countries of the world. As Christians we should see this kind of attitude as working against building the kind of world that God wants.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Why do we think we are always right?
In her column in the Peace Weekly the writer reminisces on the many people she has met, and lost contact with during her years of work. Of that number were some she was able to speak to openly and frankly. She doesn't know why but many of the relationships became awkward, and gradually the degree of coldness increased.
Just before retirement one of that group came to visit with the writer. She doesn't mention what instigated the unburdening of her pent up resentment but she fully expressed her feelings to the person. Made known her hurts, resentments, criticism, grudges-- all poured out in a short period of time, all negative. However, she admits that the anger did not subside after it all came out. During the monologue the one-time intimate did express herself.
After retirement she did remember the words of the visitor that were expressed that day and they continued to reverberate in her head. The sentence that continued to bother her was: "Why do you think that everything you do is right?"
When she let it all out, she also refuted this statement that was one of the retorts by the visitor and her response did get the person to nod in agreement, but the words remained with her and continued to bother her. This is what they saw in her that prompted the estrangement: everything she thought, said and did was seen as cold hardheartedness by them, and now in every situation in all circumstances these words come to mind.
North and South Korea both have different understandings of the situation. The North and South have different ideologies, and is it not possible to say problems arise when we think that we always have the right answers? Isn't the problem between the North and South basically that each maintains they have all the answers to the problems and don't want to listen? And she concludes with the words of the Scriptures.
"Why look at the speck in your brother's eye when you miss the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take that speck out of your eye while all the time the plank remains in your own?" (Matt. 7:3-4)
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Thoughts On a Visit to a Hospice
'In random thoughts on religion', the columnist in the Peace Weekly, writes about a woman who helped him in his work both materially and spiritually. She was told by her doctor she had about 15 days of life remaining. This news upset her greatly. She was far from her seventies; the news left her in shock. She attended Mass and went directly to the hospital.She never lost her dignity. She prayed earnestly for a cure and dreamed of returning to her former ways.
He heard that she was in hospice-care and went for a visit. "I don't want to die", "I want to live" were her words, said with very little strength. He visited her a number of times but all he could do was hold her hand and and say nothing. No words of consolation came from his lips. Our Lord hearing of the death of Lazarus and meeting Martha and Mary he cried. Because of the human condition and original sin we will all die. However, with the Resurrection of Jesus we have hope. Leaving the woman for the last time in hospice, he had the consolation she was going to a better life.
Just recently he had two other friends who were recently given a death sentence. He was at one time very close to them and both of them, not even in their 60s, were now in hospice care. The columnist was overcome with a feeling of ingratitude towards one of them, and the other he grew apart because of his friend's uncontrolled temper. Hearing that they were in hospice-care he quickly went to visit them.
In these times when we talk about people living to their hundreds it is a sad sight to see these men who where until recently men with great presence and vigor who were haggard images of themselves. Seeing them in this condition brought tears to his eyes.
He wanted to bring them to a knowledge of faith and give them a reason to hope. In his own life the faith he had was a great consolation in facing death, and he wanted to bring up the issue but they were in pain and he felt it better to leave the job to their wives.
He leaves us with the words of a Germain psycho physicist Gustave Fetcher: Man lives on earth three time,the first state is continual sleep in the womb. Second stage is the present where we sleep and awake in turns. The third stage is always awake. In the first state one is prepared with the organs of speech, sight, smell and hearing which will be used in the second stage. In the second stage preparation is made for the last stage. When the baby leaves the womb the transition is like a death to a new environment and new life. It begins with a cry and a whole new environment with laughter and joy. The third state is one we don't know much about, full of peace and liberty.We see the last stage as one with a very narrow door and dark, but it is the way to eternal life.
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